2. What is Google?
“Googol” is the mathematical term for a 1
followed by 100 zeros.
The company’s mission is to organize the
immense amount of information on the Web.
They sell the advertising displayed on their site
and on other sites across the web.
Google’s founder are Larry Page and Sergey
Brin.
It is now widely recognized as the world’s largest
search engine—an easy-to-use free service that
usually returns relevant results in a fraction of a
second.
3. How does Google work?
Like other search engines, Google uses a Web
crawler program (aka spiders or robots) to
search its vast databases, looking for
keyword(s) you typed in and bringing back a
list of results that match those keyword(s).
You scroll through the results, read the little
blurb that accompanies each one, and click
on the blue, underlined link to go directly to
the specific page.
4. Let’s go to Google
Type www.google.com in the Address
window and press enter.
5. Ways to Search-Keyword
Keyword search-uses multiple keywords.
example: kona vacation rentals
Google ignores common words and certain
single digits and letters. It also adjusts
keywords to broaden a search.
Example search for “dietary needs” will also
return “diet needs”.
6. Query Suggestions
As you begin typing keywords, a list of suggestions
will appear. If one of them is what you’re looking
for, click on it. (You can turn this off using
Options/Search Settings/Google Instant)
7. Spell Checker
If you spell a word incorrectly, Google will
prompt you with correct spelling. Click on
the correctly spelled link at the top of the
page.
8. Quotation Marks
Use quotation mark around keywords to get more
specific results. This will search for the exact words.
9. To Narrow results
To narrow results use a – (minus) before the
keyword.
Example: virus –computer : finds information
on viruses but not computer viruses.
10. Roman numerals
To find information that includes Roman
numerals or to include common words
(where, the, how, etc.) –use a + (plus) before
the numeral.
11. Synonym Search
Use a ~ (tilde) to search for similar keywords
Example: ~auto loans : Finds auto, car ,
automobile, truck, etc.
12. Questioning strategy
Try doing a search in a question format
Example: how to cook a turkey or how to sew
a button
13. Fill in the blanks
Use an * (asterisk) for missing words
Example: four * and * years ago
14. What’s on a Google result’s
page?
The number of pages found with mentions of
your keyword(s)—look under the Search
window.
15. Result’s list
A result’s list; each result contain a blue link
to a specific page, the page’s web address,
and a blurb about the information you will
find on the page.
16. Options for Searching
On the left are options for searching specifically
for Images, Videos, News, result time frame, etc.
You will also see specifics, such as when you
search for recipes, you’ll see options to choose
ingredients, cooking time, etc.
17. Paid Advertising
On the top (in a colored area) and on the right
you’ll find applicable advertising.
18. Live Results
If something newsworthy is taking place, you
may see live results scrolling on the page.
Click on a link to view it.
19. Images
If images appear, click on the one of your
choice to go to that webpage or see a larger
view, if available.
20. Related search links
At the bottom, find related search links and
the numbered links or arrow to get to the
next page of results.
21. Next page
At the bottom of the page you will see numbers.
The page you are on is in a different color and not
underlined.
You can click on any number to be taken to that
page.
Clicking “Next” takes you to the next page.
23. Address
Search for an address and find it on a street
map. Once the map appears, you can get
directions To here or From here
24. Book search
Type the author name and click on Books on
the left to see books that are in Google Books
(mostly classics).
25. Calculator
You can let Google do the math for you:
To add, use a + (plus) 10+22
To subtract, use a – (minus) 24-12
To multiply, use an * (asterisk) 14*2
To divide, use a / (forward slash) 48/12
To figure out the percentage of use %
(percent) 25% of 10
26. Range of numbers
To search for a range of numbers– use the …
(ellipsis)
Example: dvd player $100…$250 : will find
dvd players in the 100-250 dollar range
or Willie Mays 1950…1960 : will find pages
about Willie Mays during that time frame.
27. Currency conversion
Type in the amount and currency code and the
currency code you want it converted into
Example: 3. 5 USD in GBP
To find 3-letter currency codes go to
http://www.xe.com/iso4217.htm
33. Public Data
View population trends and unemployment
rates in the U.S. and countries by typing
population or unemployment rate with the
state or country
35. Sport scores
Find sports scores and schedules for teams,
type the team name or league name in the
search window. This works for leagues like
NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB
36. Time
To find the current time anywhere in the
world, type time and the name of the city.
37. Unit conversion
Type in measurement information
Example: cups in gallon or 10.5 cm in inches
38. Weather
To see weather conditions and a 4-day
forecast for a US location, type weather
followed by the location.
39. Some other helpful tricks
Earthquakes— to find information on a current
earthquake, type the city and state or country followed
by earthquake
Flu Vaccine Search— search for flu to find ways to stay
healthy from US Health and Human Services and a flu
shot locator. Type in the city and state and a map with
locations will appear.
Package tracking— type in the UPS, FedEx or USPS
tracking numbers
Stock Quotes— to get live stock quotes, type in a ticker
symbol
Vehicle ID (VIN) number— type in the car’s VIN number
to learn more about the vehicle based on CARFAX
information
40. Google’s links
In addition to searching Google’s database,
you can perform specific searches using the
links on the left of the page or across the top
of the page, depending on which version you
are using.
41. Google Links
You+ --click here to access Google+, Google’s
social networking tool.
Search—is the default search.
Images—to search for images, including clip art.
Maps—to search for a geographic location and
get directions
YouTube—to search specifically for videos
News –to search for up-to-date news stories
Gmail—to login into a personal or work Gmail
account.
Documents –a quick link to Google Docs and
Spreadsheets.
More—more search features.
42. Images
Click on Images to search for a variety of images.
Be aware that every image on Google is the property
of the person who created it.
You can use the links on the left to narrow the image
search by size, etc.
43. Maps
You can search by typing in a city, state,
country, street number or Zip code
Example: 126 n. main street roanoke in
Once the map appears, you can get driving,
bus, walking, and even biking directions and
the estimated time it will take to complete a
trip.
44. Street View
Click on the view that appears (with the little
yellow man or drag the man to the map) to
see the street view, if it’s available.
Click an drag on the street view to move up
and down the street or do a 360 spin to see
both sides of the street.
45. Other views
Rest the mouse pointer on the image in the
upper left area to see more options. Not all
options may be available.
Satellite -shows an aerial view
Earth –(if you’ve downloaded it ) you can see
photographic images and search the globe
Traffic –see live traffic information for major
roads
Photos –see photos of the area that have been
posted by viewers
Webcams –look for available webcams in the area
Videos –look for available videos of the area
Map – is the default view
46. Get directions
Click on Get directions to type in a beginning
and ending address for step by step
directions.
47. To navigate
Click on:
The up arrow button to move north
The down arrow button to move south
The right arrow button to move east
The left arrow button to move west
48. Navigation cont’d
The center button returns to previous
view
The + button zooms in
The – button zooms out
Double-click with the left mouse
button to zoom in
Double-click with the right mouse
button to zoom out
The mouse spin dial also acts as a
zoom control
49. Find a business
In the search window, type in the name or
type of business, city and state or ZIP code,
and press Enter.
50. My places
You can go to a place on the map, sign in to
your account and save the location or share it
with others.
53. Media --Books
Books– if the full-text version isn’t available,
you can find a local library that has it or can
get it for you!
54. Other Media
YouTube – download and/ or view videos
Picnik –to edit photos
Picasa –to find photos on your computer, edit
and share them
Google Music –access your music collection
instantly from anywhere
News –keep up-to-date
55. GEO
Google Offers –get amazing deals at places
where you shop, eat or play
Latitude –see where your friends are right
now
Google Earth –explore the world
Panoramio –explore and share your photos
with the world
SketchUp –design the house of your dreams
56. Home and Office
Google Docs –do word processing, create
spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
Talk –instant messaging
Voice –enhance your phone with custom
features, including free calling in the US
Checkout –purchase items online
Gmail –free email service
Sites –create websites
Wallet –make your phone your wallet
57. Social
Google+ --links to social networking and
information
Blogger --search/create blogs or online
journals
Reader --get news through a RSS feeder
Groups –create mailing lists and discussion
groups
58. The end
Any Question?
Please fill out the questionnaire
For more information, contact the Library at
260-672-2989 or director@roanoke.lib.in.us
or come in and talk to a librarian.